Risk reaps double reward

Monday, 6 December 2010

Nick Abou Risk has gone into the record books after becoming the first player to win two events on the PokerStars UK and Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT) after taking the season two open in Galway last night.

The 25-year-old took home £50,000 in August after winning UKIPT Edinburgh and now has a further €67,100 in his bankroll after outlasting a 266 runner field in frozen Galway. The Dublin based Canadian went into the final table as the chip leader and sailed through the last day with pocket aces playing a crucial role on no fewer than three occasions.

Abou Risk first managed to crack Aonghus Farrell's pocket rockets. He was then lucky enough to be dealt them on back to back hands, eliminating Maurice Silke, to set up a heads up clash with local amateur Trish Mallin.

Two handed play didn't last long with the Canadian calling Mallin's short stacked shove on a 9h-5s-10d-4h board. The Irishwoman revealed 7h-8c for an inside straight draw which was well behind Abou Risk's 10h-2h. Another 10 on the river sealed the deal leaving Mallin to settle with €41,300 for her runner up finish.

Tuesday is the deadline for all working Americans to have submitted their income tax returns to the federal government and Juicy Stakes and Intertops Poker are set to mark this annual occasion by holding a special freeroll competition featuring a $1,000 top prize.